PT Cruiser Forum

I have 06 PT....stock version..bought used when it was about 10 months old.
Lately, it feels 'lumpy'..when moving forward..it "sways" side to side...feels like when you drive over the ruts left in roads by big trucks.
Thought it was the snow tires...took them off..it is better..but it is still doing this side to side sway...on the highway...the car is no longer quiet..it seems that the swaying is speeded up of course...
I do not feel any difference in braking...turning the wheels in any direction..there is no clunking type of noise..just the noise on the highway at faster speeds...like you have the window open and it's a steady 'humming"..or road noise from tires type of noise..
I want to be informed before I take it in to be fixed/have a look at etc..
Anybody have any ideas what I should be aware of??
It is beyond my capabilities to fix.
Thanks all...

if it's swaying that badly, sounds like the swaybar links, either front or back, might have rusted and just plain fell off. you'll have to get under the car and check to see if they're still there. just a suggestion.

Take the jack out and look for looseness at each wheel, and the steering
linkages.
There shouldn't be any. The linky deal rear axle's center is unfamiliar to me,
it shouldn't be loose, though.

Perhaps someone can show you pictures of the exact parts.

Here's my best on quick notice:
-Extreme left, ~3/4 way up you have horizontal Lower Control Arm (LCA)
bushing (unlikely to be noticeable)
-90% right center there's the Ball Joint (possible, critical)
-Wrench is on sway bar end link (It'd make noise, not absolutely critical)
-Center left foreground Tie rod end (likely, critical)
-Extreme Right center Horizontal LCA bushing (always bad)
-Center right background, inner tie rod end, (possible, critical
And of course wheel bearing. Wheel will feel loose when lugs are tight,
and make lots of noise.
Same rear for wheel bearing.
Also check for bent parts, the inner tie rod (inboard the outer) will bend
in a collision w/ a curb.
A little help for the lady on the rear, gents?

In any case, by the time you finish jacking each corner, you'll be NASCAR
pit crew qualified!

Alignment is usually when car "pulls" either right or left - if you're going straight, take hands off wheel, and if car goes straight, alignment is usually okay.
If you have a firestone place nearby, you can get lifetime alignment - I did - unlimited # of alignments pays for itself by 2nd alignment.
You should start with getting tires balanced - also can get lifetime balancing from Firestone (no I don't work for Firestone).

It ended up being.....the back left tire had separated!!...almost about 1/3 of the way around too..!..so I have rotated the 2 remaining tires and put the snowies back on for now.

I will keep this bushing info as well..as I see this seems to be a weak point with these cars...
So...now to hunt down 2 new tires..in Canada..tires are expensive..$150,with mounting,balancing,eco fees..taxes...
I thought of Tire Rack..but they ship UPS..which stings you with COD fees at the border...I know..I work there...you think you're getting a great deal on tires..shipping costs are reasonable...but here comes the driver...with his hand out for 'brokerage fees'...
Hopefully I can find some tires on sale..although..the size is hard to find..
73000 kilometres of trouble free driving....so far..I know it's not going to be as dependalbe as Ol Blue was(1976 Cutlass Supreme Broughm)...alas..all great cars succumb to the rust cancer...
Thank you for being so helpful...very much appreciated...now..you wanna come and fix my English car sometime??..it eats bushings on a regular basis...

I'm starting to think UptownSport is my brother from another mother! Man his comments not only include great info, but fabulous photos too! Geesh, master of all tutorials!! New nickname now for Uptown...MOAT

Alignment is usually when car "pulls" either right or left - if you're going straight, take hands off wheel, and if car goes straight, alignment is usually okay.
If you have a firestone place nearby, you can get lifetime alignment - I did - unlimited # of alignments pays for itself by 2nd alignment.
You should start with getting tires balanced - also can get lifetime balancing from Firestone (no I don't work for Firestone).

I agree and have taken my cars to Firestone for many years and for the most part have been treated good. The lifetime stuff pays off big time, but of coarse when the wifey totals the car its all gone.

The tires for our PTs aren't any harder to find than any other tires for any other car. They are made by every name brand out there. You don't need to have them shipped. You can find deals everyday at one tire store or another.